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Sept 17," 1929. 1 J. E. BUSHNELL 1,728,527

MATEMAL com-R01. MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE mmms' Filed Feb 25, 1928 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 17, 1929. J. E. BUSHNELL 1,728,527

MATERIAL CONTROLQMECHANISM FOR couclmrii lilxpms Filed Feb. 25; 1928 2Sheets-Shee't' 2 gvwent oz Patented Sept. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT@FFECEI JAMES E. BUSHNELL, OF NORTH PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0BANSOME CONCRETE MACHINERY COMPANY, TION' CF NEW JERSEY 0F PLAINFIELD,NEW JERSEY, A. CORPORA- MA'IERIAL-CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CONCRETEIVIIXERS Application .filed February 23, 1928. Serial No. 256,208.

The present improvements relate in gen-- eral to concrete mixingapparatus, and more particularly to the charging, timing and di chargingoperations attending the functioning of. a mixer of this type.

In designing a mixing apparatus for preparing freshly mixed concrete insitu, it is essential that a rugged and sturdy construction bedeveloped, as well as one which will invariably produce a mixture havingthe proper proportions, consistency and predetermined mixing, under aplurality of condi tions which may be encountered in the field. As iswell known in the art, the requirements of a most efficient mixtureembrace, among others, a definite quantity of water and dry aggregates,the former thoroughly distributed throughout the latter, a predeterminedmixing interval for these ingredients and provision for pre enting thewithdrawal of the mass before the end of such interval.

The present improvements have as their primary object, among others, theprovision of means meeting such requirements inan improved mannerwhereby the charging of the ingredients into the mixer, the determiningof the mixing interval, the discharge control from the mixer, as well asother operations in connection therewith are coordinatedand synchronizedto produce an improved mixture. Other objects of the presentimprovements will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

While the operations attending the mixing function are herein disclosedas being controlled by the movements of the discharge de vice for dryaggregates, it will be apparent that other forms, within the scope ofthis invention, will be apparent to those familiar in the art. Theaccompanying drawings illustrate one embodiment, in which- Fig. 1 is afront View of a batch hopper embodying a portion of the presentimprovements;

Fig. 2 is a side View of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, some partsin section, others omitted for convenience of illustration;.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a mixer embodying the presentimprovements, the liquid supply means being omitted;

. ter.

Fig. is an end view, looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with liquid supply means omitted,taken on line 5 of Fig.3. I

The general organization of the various elements and mixer isillustrated in Fig. 3, wherein the mixer 8, rotated by suitable powermeans (not shown), is fixedly mounted on mixer frame 9, said mixerhaving a charging opening 10 and a dis-charging opening 11. Suitableblades or other means (not shown) are provided within the mixer 8 forcooperating to effect discharge of the mixer contents through opening11, when a discharge chute or other mechanism (not shown) is insertedtherethrough for transferring said contents to barrows, chutes or otherdistributing means. A batch hopper 12 for dry aggregates, cement, etc,is suitably mounted on the rear of frame 9, so that its dischargeopening 13 is in alignment with charging opening 10 of the mixer, fortransfer of the dry ingredients from the former to the lat- Convenientlypositioned on the front of frame 9 is a batch meter or batch timingdevice 14, suitably associated and operatively connected with the mixerand power means therefor, for predetermining the mixing interval orrevolutions of mixer 8. llhe frame 9, also has mounted thereon controlmeans 1! for the discharge mechanism (not shown) of the mixer. Forconvenience of illustration, certain parts have been omitted from Fig.3. however referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the liquid supply means 16 forthe mixer is depicted, which is also conveniently mounted on frame 9 inposition to transfer the necessary liquid from discharge pipe or spout26 into opening 10.

Referring more particularly to 1 and 2, a discharge control mechanismfor batch hopper 12 is provided in the form of a door 17 normallyclosing opening 13 therein. Said door is adapted for opening and closingby means of bell crank lever 18 pivoted for rocking movement at 19 onany convenient support 20. A door actuating bar 21, has one end pivotedto one end of lever 18, with the other end pivoted at 29. to door 17 inany desired manner. Obviously rocking lever 18 in a counter clockwisedirection will open door 17 and movement of said lever in the oppositedirection will close said door. Said lever 18, bar 21 and door 17comprise'the dis charge control. mechanism for batch hopper 12, whichmay be manually actuatedoroperated by any other power source.

The liquid or water supply means 16 for mixer 8', is suitably positionedand connected with said discharge control mechanism for re sponse tocertain movements thereof. Said water supply means 16 comprises athree-way valve 23 having a main supply inlet 24, a conduit 25 leadingto a measuring tank (not shown)v and a discharge pipe 26' leading to themixer opening 10. Although any suitable three-way valve may be employed,one of the rotary plug type isherein shown, having an i operatingmechanism connected thereto comprising an arm 27 fixed to the valveplug. Saidarm is actuated by means of a rod or link 28, saidlink and armbeing operativelyconnected to one another at their ends by a universaljoint 29. As illustrated in Fig. 2, link 28, is suitably threaded alonga greater portion thereof, to accommodate lock nuts 30 and a capped nut31. A pipe spacer or cylinder 32 telescopes the threaded portion of link28 between said nntsand suitable stamped washers 33 are interposedbetween each nut and the adjacent end of pipe 32.

Mounted on lever 18 is alatera-lly extending lug 34' having an aperturethereingreater "in cross section than p1pe32 and link 28.

and lever 18. Additional Water may thus be applied to the drum, ifdesired. Suitable releasable locking'means bridges said slot fornormally maintaining link 28 and lug 3A in .co-operative relation.

The operation of" the foregoing structure is as follows :The door 17 0fthe batch hopper being closed, the parts are in the positioniillustratedin Figs. 1 and 2. At this time the valve 23 permitscommunication betweensupply 245 and con-duit 25 170 the water measuringtank, but closes the inlet to pipe 26 from conduit 25. The properquantity of aggregates, cement, etc., having been placed in hopper 12,the lever 18 is rocked to the left in Fig. 1-, the door 17 raisingaccordingly and initiating discharge from thefhopper to mixer 8. As

lever 18 ascends, carrying lug 3 1, the latter passes along link 28,from lower washer 33" normally holding to upper washer 33, withoutimparting movement thereto. So far, door 17 has been partially opened,permitting a limited discharge from hopper 12, no water however being Iturned on. Upon further rocking of said lever 18, lug 34: contactingupper washer 33, pulls link28 upward, actuating valve 23 and fullyopening door 17., In thisoperation, the

I fully open to pass water fromthe tankto the mixing drum 8-. Thesequence ofopera-tion is reversed upon rocking lever 18in a clockwisedirection. It is thus seen that/actuation of the door 17 functions,during the latter portion of its opening movement, to open the watersupply means, a'portion of the measured contents of the hopper 12preceding the initial discharge of the measured quantity of water fromthe tank. Admitting asmall'portion of the dry ingredients, followedbysi-' multaneous admission of, the remaining dry and wet ingredients ingin the drum.

Referring again to Fig. 3, a rockshaft' 35 promotes efiicient comix-'-'is suitably supportedadjacent the top of frame 9, the end adjacent thebatch hopper 12,

having a radially extending dog 36 keyedthereto, the other end of saidshaft 35 being operatively connectedwith thebatch meter 1% for settingsame. Bar 21 (Fig. 5') has a plate 37 adjustably mounted thereon, saidplate provided with a laterally extending roller or bearing, surface 38.As illustrated,.said plate 37 is disposed on bar 21, so that roller 38is in alignment with dog 36 of rock shaft 35, all upward movementof'said'bar function ing to rock said shaft. I

The discharge control ,mechanisn 15. for the mixer may be of anysuitable forn'nthat illustrated in Fig. comprising a lateral springoontrolledbar actuated by a handle 39. By rais ng the latter, dischargeof said mixer by means of a chute or other mecha- Q msm 1s incepted. Inorder to prevent actuation of said means 15, before the predeterminedmixing interval has transpired, looking means are provided thereforoperatively connected with the. batch meter 14s and: rock shaft 35. In'ligs. 3 and a this means is shown in locked position and comprises a bail10 embracing handle 39 and keyed to pivot bar 41 for rocking to and fromsaid handle. Said bail is provided with any suit-- able energized;means, such as weight 42, for

bail 40 in unlockedjposition, Keyed to pivot 41 is lever 43,divergingfrom the plane of said bail, the, free end. of said lever beingpivotally connected to one end of link a t. The other end of said linkis operatively connected with the batch meter 14 and rock shaft ashereinafter set forth. The bail is held in locking position (Figs. 3 and4t) by the batch meter mechanism, which latter, after the predeterminedmixing iiu'ierval releases link. la. Weight 42 then dropping andremoving bail 40 from over handle 39.

The operation of the organization taken in connection with thatpreviously described is as follows: Upon operation of the dischargecontrol mechanism for the hopper 12, door 17 begins to open by theraising ofbar 21. Simultaneously plate 37 on bar 21, rocks dog 36, whichin turn rotates shaft 35, said shaft, being connected to the batch meter14 and locking mechanism, functions to set said meter and also move bail40 to locking position dle- 39 (thereby disabling same) until the mixinginterval has transpired. After which said meter releases link 44;,allowing weight 42 to Withdraw bail 4:0 and simultaneously restore shaft35 and dog 36 to their original position.

It is apparent that actuation of lever 18, results in discharge of thehopper contents and water to the mixer, in the manner previously setforth, sets the batch meter and. disables the discharge controlmechanismcf the nnxer. While the meter controls the mixing in drum 8,and also locks the discharge control means, the lever 18 may be restoredto its original position, closing hopper door 17, closing pipe 26 andopening supply 24 to the measuring tank. By the time another batch isplaced in hopper 12 and the water tank supplied with water, the batchmeter has released bail 4L0, permitting actuation of discharge means 15,

while the batch meter mechanism or the weight 42 (through a3, 44,14 and35) has restored dog 36 to position for subsequent operation by plate 37when an additional batch is discharged to the mixing drum.

As evident from the foregoing description, the liquid supply means isdelayed in its operation until portion of the dry ingredients have beensupplied to the mixer 8, initial opening movement of door 17 howevercauses meter 14 to be set, and the mixer discharge means to be initiallydisabled. As above described the water supply means responds to thelatter portion of the opening movement of door 1'? While bail 40 isfully brought over handle 39 and held there by meter 14, as set forth,thus completing the disabling operation initiated by the first openingmovements of said door. i

The present improvements as co-ordinated and synchronized promote a morethorough mixture of the mass and insure against premature discharge fromthe mixing drum, the

cooperating elements of the entire organization contributing to producean improved mass when withdrawn from the mixer.

Various modifications within the scope of the present improvements willbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claimis:

1. In apparatus of the character desc "ibed the combination of a mixer,adapted to be charged and discharged, a plurality of charging devicestherefor, a common positively operating means for said devices, a batchmeter associated with said mixer and operating means, and meansassociated with said meter for preventing premature discharge of saidmixer.

2. in a mixing machine, the combination of a mixing drum, a batch hopperadapted to discharge its contents into said drum, a liquid supply meansfor said drum, batch meter means for said drum, discharge controlmechanism for said drum, disabling means therefor, and operativeconnections between said hopper and means, said connections compri ingmembers directly connected to said batch meter means and disabling meansand members engageable with said liquid supply means after predeterminedmovement of said first named members whereby movement of saidconnections causing a limited discharge of said hopper actuates saidbatch meter means and said disabling means and further movement causinga greater discharge actuates all said means.

3. In a mixing machine, the combination of ing a rotary drum, havingchewing and discharging openings, a batch hopper having a normallyclosed door controlling discharge thereof into said mixer, operatingmeans for said door, a liquid supply means for said mixer having anormally closed valve, delayed action operating means for said valveconnected to said first named means, a'batch meter associated'with saiddrum, normally inactive mechanism operatively connected with said meterfor preventing untimely discharge of saiddrum, and means responsive tothe opening movementof said door operating means for setting said meterand last named mechanism.

An apparatus asset forth in preceding claim including means forrestoring said last named mechanism to, inactive; position after apredetermined interval.

('3. In a charging device for mixing apparatus the combination of abatch hopper having charging and discharging openings, a closure forsaid discharge opening, a; norn'iall'y closed liquidsupply meanshavingan outlet adjacent the discharge area of said hopper andmeansassociated with said closureand responsive topartial opening movementthereof, for openingsaid supply means. i

7. In a charging device for mixing appara-.

tus the combinationof a batch hopper having charging and dischargingopenings, a closure 1 for said discharge opening, a normally closed.

liquid supply meanshaving an outlet adjacent the discharge area of saidhopper and delayed action mechanism connecting saidclosure and supplymeans, all so constructed and arranged i that said supply means isopened and closed only by complete opening and closing of said closure.8. Ina charging device for mixingapparatus, .the combination with amixer, of a normally closed discharge hopper andliquid supply meansadapted; to discharge into said mixer, and means for successivelyopening said ho per and liquid supply means and similarly closing: same.

9. A charging device for mixing devices comprising a batch hopper havingcharging and discharging openings, a liquid supply means having anoutlet adjacent said-discharge opening, a door normally closing said idischarge opening, having an operating arm,

a valve normall closing said outlet having an actuating arm andmeansoperatively connectingsai'd. arms and. permitting limited relativemovement thereof. i

10. A charging device for mixing devices comprising a batch hopperhaving charging anddischarging openings, a liquid supply means havinganv outlet adjacent said discharge opening, a door normallyclosing saiddischarge opening, having an operating arm,

a valve normally closing said outlet having an actuating arm, spacedcontacts mounted on said last named armand a lug on said first namedarm, positioned for free movement between said? contacts 11'. Inapparatus of the character described, the combination of a mixer havingcharging and discharging openings, a charging devicethelatter andmechanism initially operable mas-n22:

by said means and subsequently by said meter for controlling dischargeof said mixer.

13. A charging and mixing apparatus comprising a rotary drum, a batchhopper having means for controlling discharge thereof to said drum,means associated with said mixer for predetermining the mixing interval,locking means for preventing discharge of said drum associated with saidmeans, mechanism actuated by opening movement of saidfirst named meansfor setting said other means and means for automatically unlocking saidlockingmeans at the end of the mixing interval.

14. A charging and mixing apparatus comprisinga mixer, a batchhopper forcharging said mixer having a door, a rock shaft responsive to openingmovement of said door, f

a batch meter for said mixer for predetermining the mixing interval,adapted tobe set by said shaft during said opening movement,"'a leverfor causing discharge of saidmixer, a lock for said lever operativelyconnected with said meter and rock shaft, energized means associatedwith saidlock, all so constructed and arranged that opening movement ofsaid door setssaid meter and lock for the mixing interval, said elementsthereafter being restored to normal position by said energized means.

15. A charging device for mixers comprising a batch hopper havingcharging and diischarglng openings, a liquid supply means having an'outlet adjacent said discharge for preventing premature discharge ofsaid drum.

17 A mixing device comprising a mixing drum adapted to be charged anddischarged, a fixed hopper for charging said drum, liquid supply meansfor said drum, a batch meter associated with said drum for determiningthe mixing interval and means associated with said hopper, batch meterand liquid supply means for preventing premature discharge of said drum.

18.In a charging device for mixing apparatus the combination of a batchhopper having charging and discharging openings. a closure for saiddischarge opening, liquid supply means having an outlet adjacent thedischarge area of said hopper and actuating mechanism for opening andclosing'said closure and means.

19. A mixing device comprising a mixing drum adapted to be charged anddischarged, a hopper having an opening for charging said drum, a closurefor said opening, liquid supply means for said drum, and interconnectedmechanism for opening and closing said (:10- sure and means.

Witness my hand this 31st day of January, 1928, at Dunellen, New Jersey.

JAMES E. BUSHNELL.

